DocBauer

Sipp at 2 for $12M I have no problem with! I would make that move all day long. If the Twins really and truly are going to keep Plouffe, I would think Rodney for 1 year at $5-6 would be very sound. No great expense for Rodney. He's only signed for 1 year. He has experience, proven production, and still has good velocity, which he seemed to show in 2014 and with the Cubs last year. And realistically, at some point in '16, possibly by mid-year, one of Burdi, Reed and others should be about ready.

You might be playing this partly tongue in cheek, but there's real value to what you said. The human mind is an interesting and complex place. Very often, regardless if you are a writer, an artists, a researcher or athlete, simply taking time to step back and remove yourself from the equation for a time brings a different freshness of thought and attitude the next time you address your profession/craft. I don't guarantee Buxton breaks with the club, or if he does that he's 75%, or 80% or 85% plus as to his ultimate potential. But I feel his work ethic, past proven abilities, and experiences of 2015 will allow him to enter ST with a new perspective to build on. And I believe there is still a very good chance to breaks with the club based on defense, potential, and initial contributions in the 9 spot, if nothing else. Of course....no backup option is a path we've been down before. And not a good one.

I still like the idea of moving Plouffe for a quality RP and probably a prospect. It provides a home for Sano that he is already familiar with and has the keys to. Secondly, I think the Twins should move to sign a quality corner OF with a live RH bat with some pop. Scanning available FA list, it seems there are a few of interest that could do the job. This allows him to platoon in and out of the lineup with Arcia and/or Rosario. (of course, Kepler is also LH) *Santana may also see time in either or both OF corners, and potentially could be a spark plug at the top or bottom of the order.

Ryan may be stating that he is not trading Plouffe, but I am betting there will be several conversations had concerning him at the meetings. Why do the Angels just seem to make so much sense to me? Whether the moves take place at the meetings, or the meetings simply provide a jumping off point and premise to negotiate from, this team needs to come up with a quality reliever from both sides of the hill. If Plouffe were to be moved, I would disagree on the type of OF needed. With Rosario, Kepler and Arcia all batting from the left side, I'd say a corner OF who hits from the right would be the better fit. Someone with at least a little bit of pop.

Solid bullpen to be sure, AS THE ROSTER SITS NOW. And I just have to believe there is going to be at least one more move coming, if not two. (boy I sure hope so) But I will have to disagree (minor disagreement) on a point or two. I believe Meyer will be, and should be, in Rochester to begin the season. I believe the Twins will look at him starting again, and they should. You don't just give up on the idea of Meyer starting after one poor year. And in his place, I lean toward Rogers. There are a couple other options such as Dean and O'Rourke possibly, but I think Rogers is the smart choice. Betting Pressly begins at Rochester to make room for Fien.

I have stated before, I really think Ryan took a more conservative approach than he should have...possibly more than he really wanted...last year in regard to the pen because he just KNEW that Tonkin and Pressly and Burdi and Reed and Jones and others were going to be ready at some point. You simply can't afford to make a mistake like that again, not with a team that actually appears to have a winners chance! Fien provides, healthy again, a solid 6th and 7th inning option behind your top 4-ish relievers. He is insurance, and a stop-gap, for when the younger kids are up and ready. It may seem like a "meh" signing, but it's a relatively inexpensive and solid option. As long as they don't stop with him,

Not too early at all, IMPO. But I would bump Dozier and his mix of OB, power and speed up to 5 or 6. Regardless of a 5-6 of Plouffe/Dozier or Dozier/Plouffe, I'd put Rosario and his mixed bag of excitement and left handed bat in the 7 hole...Escobar 8th...Zuke and the killer 9th. As stated, at least until Kepler is ready. (or Plouffe is traded-making way for Arcia?)

Not to upset with the Fien offering, even though I'm not a big fan either. As stated, to me, it's more about the roster spot than anything. The cost isn't great. Healthy again, I think he could be solid in a 6th-7th inning role. I think of him as insurance in case of injury, or just poor performance from Tonkin and/or Pressly. (not that I expect it) As long a this doesn't preclude the team from still making a signing or trade move, I'm OK with it. I am not in favor of the offer, and then standing pat simply waiting for Burdi or Reed or others to be ready. We've done too much of that the past couple of years in CF and the bullpen previously.

Tremendous write up Seth! Couldn't agree more! Not only did Park sign the deal that he and his agent worked out, but there isn't exactly a precedent set for how well Korean talent will translate to MLB. Park is what, the second guy ever? So while I am very surprised and think the Twins may have gotten a deal here, it's still a lot of money. Also, if I'm not mistaken, doesn't he have another $1M per based on 400 AB's? There is nothing wrong with keeping Plouffe at this time. I think a lot of us have said that. But the fact is, without Sano moving to the OF...or someone...there is a logjam at 1B/3B/DH unless someone is injured. My problem with moving Sano to the OF isn't that he couldn't learn to do it, maybe even learn to do it well...but...how exactly does him learning to play OF actually help the OF defensively? Further, let's say it takes a season, (at least), and probably two before he gets really comfortable and looks really good out there. Let's say he looks really, really good even. What happens in two more years when Plouffe is a FA? Does he bolt? Does he fade? Do we sign in him an extension before that? And what about Kepler and Walker, along with Buxton and Rosario? Does the OF get too crowded in a year or so? I'm not saying we have to trade Plouffe, or that we should trade him. But I am saying there may be a decent return for him, we may break up a bit of a logjam personnel wise, and we aren't putting square pegs in to round holes yet again.

There really is no good reason for Arcia not to get a shot. There is just way, way too much talent and potential in that young man to dump him or ignore him. However, I state again, with Arcia and Rosario both LH, I feel the Twins would be very smart to pick up a solid, quality RH hitting corner OF to supplement and flesh out the roster. And there are definitely some options out there. And as I stated in the blog version of this, I wouldn't have a problem with Kepler as the "4th OF" in the listed scenario, because, really, he would be more of a regular/semi-regular/platoon type and not a traditional, occasional playing 4th OF. Otherwise, he needs to play daily at Rochester.

How about trading Plouffe for a top bullpen arm, let Sano play his natural and more valuable position of 3B, and sign a solid RH hitting OF to play with Arcia and Rosario in the corners until Kepler is ready? Benson will almost undoubtedly be in AAA to begin the season.

Wow! Thought for sure we were talking about $5M, which could also be considered a steal. And the investment isn't great enough to handcuff the Twins if it blows up for any reason. Let the Plouffe speculation begin again!

The only problem is, what is the alternative? Is there someone we can get for a 1 or 2 year deal? Of course, we could also trade for a RP, and I'm open to that as well. FA gives us a player for money, but trade gives us a player for cheaper..probably..possibly with more control, but it also costs a player. But I really believe the bullpen needs that one additional big arm to solidify, (if not dominate). And I don't think you can just sit back and say..."well...sooner or later Burdi or Reed or someone will be up, so whatever." We did that last year with the pen, and we've done it in CF for a couple years. Now, with May or Duffey likely to spend at least part of the year in the pen, (barring injuries), and Tonkin and Pressly as options, you have to wonder if there is even room for Fien. Stil, healthy, he's solid. I'd say there's a reasonable chance the SO numbers climb back up, at least slightly. I've always said I like him as a 6th-7th inning guy. And if it turns out he's superfluous, well, he won't be making an undue amount that would prevent moving/removing him.

I could buy him as the "4th" OF if he was getting as many games/AB's as you propose here. In this scenario, he isn't so much a true 4th OF as more of a regular/semi-regular/quasi platoon player. I would be very happy if things worked out this way. As of right now, however, I'm seeing Rosario and Buxton and Arcia along with a RH OF still needing to be added. To begin the season, at least.

I also disagree with the comments made on Ryan. Now, it IS true he played a bluff hand in regard to CF and the bullpen at times over the past 2 seasons, apparently believing/hoping prospects would be ready quicker than they turned out to be. But he did bring in Milone, and while nothing special, he did pitch solidly. He also brought in Hughes and Santana. And the mentioned Jepsen. And Hunter, who many have helped as much off the field or more than he did on it. Oh, he also hired Molitor. Should he have addressed the bullpen sooner? Yes. Should he have made a move for a second quality arm? Yes. But I think he did way more correct than wrong.

At the risk of sounding all mushy and stuff........("There's no crying in baseball. There's no crying in baseball!")......a hearty and heart-felt "Thank YOU" from myself, and all of us, for bringing this site to us and the entire Twins community. It is absolutely my favorite website on the internet, and the very first site that I check each day. (not to mention throughout the day. LOL) Especially during minor league season! As a secondary note, a big "Thank You" to my fellow posters for all of the additions, submissions, agreements and debates. And I have to say, it seems there have been a lot of new additions recently that have brought some great, fresh voices. Thank you all for stopping by...and make sure you stick around for a while.

I don't want May in the pen. I don't want Duffey there either. But for 2016, with Berrios on the cusp, barring injury or trade, one of these two guys is going to be spending at least part of the season, if not all of it, in the bullpen. There's been a lot of discussion in the past on here about the Cardinals model of using your best arms; including them in the bullpen before moving back to the rotation later. This isn't necessarily a bad thing. But it's also not enough. Via trade or FA, the Twins need that one additional big arm to anchor the 8th & 9th with Perkins and Jepson. (This also provides insurance against injury or another meltdown) That's 4 out of 7. Tonkin gets next shot. Despite being a yo-yo yet again in '15, his numbers were solid. He's got hard stuff. He needs and deserves his opportunity. Pressly is next in line, and could still make the club, but I would suspect he begins the season at Rochester. Do the Twins make a move for a LHRP? I don't know. Runzler could be big. Darnell, Rogers, Dean and even O'Rourke still could provide the Twins with a lefty or second lefty. It's also possible Milone could be a nice, versatile and experienced swing man. My one big struggle is Fien. Healthy and removed from the end of games, I still like him. I think he's a big bounce back candidate this year. The SO's will climb again, he hardly walks anyone, and could be excellent in the 6th-7z5) innings. The cost shouldn't be prohibitive. Is it prudent to bring him back? Or would he almost be one too many arms?

My hunch is Garver, also solid behind the plate from every report we've heard, will surpass Turner as the better overall prospect and possible/probably eventual starter. (This was my thought before the addition of the Serial Killer so we will have to let things play out) Turner would be the somewhat typical, outstanding defensive reserve. Though in his case, he seems to be able to keep a pretty decent OB and does have some power, so we're not talking Butera futility. While he has has had stronger second halves to each of the past two seasons, I feel he's been pushed a level higher than he should have been. Probably due to Garver, and to keep them separated. But he made his rookie debut and then jumped right over a level to Ft Meyer. So I think that has to be factored when assessing any long term offensive potential.

I really don't see the Twins being active drafting anyone unless it's a LH relief option or a RH OF to come off the bench and maybe platoon (ish) with Arcia. Otherwise, not sure where'd there even be room to stash someone.

Not saying Gilmartin is, or ever will be a stud bullpen arm, but I think the Twins made a big mistake not protecting last year. Dean is LH, breathing, and has reached AAA with success. Hard not to keep someone like that for at least another season to see if he can fit a role. I guarantee someone else would have felt that way and snatched him up rather quickly. I can't really find fault with those protected overall, though I am somewhat surprised. So many A ball arms that you would think would be safe. And I can't fault them for protecting Melotakis...but he's coming back from TJ and not sure anyone could afford to stash him. While not a shocker, the disappointing part is Pinto. This is a mystery that I just don't get. He was productive through the minors, making somewhat slow but steady progress. Solid bat. Not so great footwork that needed polish, but big arm. He comes up to finish the 2013 season and becomes the Twins primary catcher. He hits: .342/ .398/ .566/ .963 in 21 games, 76 AB with 5Dbls & 4HR & 12 RBI. He allowed 9 WP which is terrible, but so was most of the staff. He caught 5 of 11 BS. I know his '13 numbers were out of the box, but still, they flashed hitting potential we saw in the minors. And now he isn't even protected by the Twins? Wow...what a hard and disappointing and unlucky fall.

We need a #3 from somewhere. Turner and Garver would be #'s 4 & 5 I would assume.

Now Parker...let's not start a holy war.

What does the bullpen need? It needs 2 guys, RH and LH. We have some really good young bullpen arms over the next season or two...we all know the names...but unlike last season, I, as the GM would not just sit still waiting for these youngsters to arrive. (which is what I think TR did last season) Assuming Nolasco is moved...and I think he will be...and assuming Berrios will initially begin the season in AAA...possible but not certain...I would sign one high quality RH FA for the pen. I would prefer a 1 or 2 year deal, but for someone like Soria or O'Day I'd seriously consider a third. There are various options, not going to go in to all of the various possibilities. Bullpen: Perkins Jepsen FA TBN Tonkin (deserves a shot, Pressly has an option) Fien (healthy, removed from high pressure 8th inning work, I like him still) Milone (I am liking the idea of him being a multi-purpose swing man) Runzler (bit of a fingers crossed here-but hopeful) When Berrios arrives, barring injury, someone has to move to the pen. Probably May or Duffey. (at least for the remainder of this season-unless you move someone) The team will have the option of trading/moving the weakest link in the bullpen at this time. Or, for once, trade from a surplus.

I feel, though it is somewhat unfortunate, that either May or Duffey will have to pitch from the pen this season. You want your best arms, and barring trade or injury, there just enough enough room for all of the young guns in the rotation as of right now. My fear is this not changing in 2017...if not sooner. And May may be the target here. I have changed my original thinking on Milone. I now believe he might make an excellent swing man reliever. After the past couple of seasons, perhaps physically he could hold up better. While we always think of relievers as being hard throwers, a softer tossing lefty like Milone, with experience as a SP, and having faced both righties and lefties in his career, could be used as a starter, long and middle reliever, and possibly an occasional LOOGY situation . (Assuming he isn't traded)

Actually, yeah. I should have been more precise.